Da Nang-Hue-Hoi An best destinations for MICE

The three tourism hot spots in the central part of Vietnam -- Da Nang, Hoi An, and Hue -- are amongst the best destinations for MICE (meetings, incentives, conventions, exhibitions) packages, according to many MICE tour organizers.

The three localities have features that can complement each other to increase their mutual attractiveness to tourists, they said.

Specifically, Da Nang currently has around 3,700 three- to five-star hotel rooms, and dozens of conference rooms that can accommodate 300 – 800 guests, while the Hoi An, and Hue-based Lang Co tourism spot have developed tourism service systems and a series of resorts.

The localities thus have to foster their strength to tighten their linkage in attracting international MICE tourists, experts recommended.

For instance, MICE customers can have a meeting in Da Nang, then spend their leisure time at the resorts in Hue or Hoi An, they said.

Da Nang-based Vitours travel agency has recently organized two familiarization trips, or Famtrips, in a row for more than 100 tour organizers countrywide to study new locations in Da Nang, Hoi An, and Hue for building new MICE tour packages.

“This is a chance for tourism companies to join hands and attract tourists to the areas,” said Nguyen Thi Kim Lien, deputy head of the linking tourism department of Vitours.

Ngo Khac Tai, director of Ho Chi Minh City-based PIT Travel, said the company will design new tour packages for MICE tourism at the Son Tra isle in Da Nang, and Cham isle in Quang Nam after the Famtrips.

Similarly, Huynh Thi Be, director of HCMC-based New Focus travel agency, said the resorts along the Hoang Sa and Truong Sa streets connecting Da Nang and Hoi An are a great advantage for developing MICE tourism.

“Our company serves an average of 100-guest tourism groups every year, half of which choose to visit Da Nang,” shared Be.

Price hindrances

Be added that the tour prices, which have skyrocketed thanks to increasing airfares and transport costs, are an obstacle to bringing more MICE tourists to the area.

“Vietnam Airlines no longer supports 50 percent fares for travel agencies, while other private airliners do not have frequent service to Da Nang,” said Be.

With the exorbitant cost of air tickets, MICE tour packages to Thailand and Cambodia cost only VND4 million (US$192) per holidaymaker, while those wishing to travel from HCMC or Hanoi to Da Nang have to pay VND5 million, she said.

Meanwhile, Tong Thi Van Anh, deputy director of Hanoi-based International Travel Co, called on the Da Nang tourism industry to reduce accommodation costs in the city for MICE tourists, compared to customers of other tour packages.

“MICE tourists stay in the city longer and use more services than ordinary customers,” explained Anh.

“So it is necessary that they receive price incentives, which should be at least 30 percent lower than the normal figures.”

In response, Huynh Minh Nhon, deputy director of the Da Nang Department of Culture, Sports, and Tourism, said the municipal tourism sector will issue specific policies to link tour organizers, hotels, and airliners.